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“Mr. Penfield, we found some...explicit photos of you and your family.” His eyes darted to Marie. “This can be used as evidence in court.”
“Thank you for your help. I’ll support the NYPD in putting Howard behind bars.” Benson smiled at the promise and walked away. “Let’s go home.”
Howard’s arrest and subsequent trial drew national interest. He found it hard to weasel out of the case due to the damning evidence. He was sentenced to five years in prison, although I was sure he was going to appeal the ruling. However, with me involved, he’d be hard-pressed to find a favorable sentence elsewhere.
With things going great, it was no surprise Selena came back home early. She exited her car and stood with her hand on her hip, looking at Marie and me at the entrance. Her indifferent face cracked into a smirk. “If I didn’t know better, I would have said you guys were an old couple, Brother.”
I hugged her, smiling at her well-intentioned joke.
“My dear sister and best friend! Come here.” She hugged Marie excitedly. They whispered something to each other and then giggled.
“Don’t worry, we aren’t planning your downfall, brother. Let’s go inside. Where’s my favorite nephew?” She pushed open the door, walking in. Marie took my hand, pulling me along.
Selena had fun with us, and I was happy with her acceptance of my relationship with Marie. Finally, we got a chance to be alone at the indoor bar. She took a sip of her wine before setting it down.
“I am happy with what I see. I was skeptical and doubted you, and for that I’m truly sorry. Marie looks happy, and both of you now have a family. However, it would make more sense if you…” she winked.
“What?”
She rolled her eyes. “Put a ring on it! What are you waiting for? Or you don’t love her enough for that?”
“Come on, Lena. I love her. We love each other and I have plans for her. I can’t tell you just yet; otherwise, you’ll ruin the surprise,” I scolded her.
She chuckled, putting a finger on her lips. “It’s going to be soon then. I can’t wait. Hey, ready to meet your soon-to-be in-laws? I hear they can be pretty intimidating.”
“I am. If I’m to have Marie with me as my wife, I'll get to know her family. And what she says about them, they are pretty chill. They’ll love us. Or maybe you’re the one who’s being nervous,” I teased.
Selena laughed, “Maybe I am, but I believe they’ll love you. Who wouldn’t?”
I hope they will.
A week into the holiday, we left New York on a private jet. It was a five-hour journey, which promptly put us to sleep. When the plane landed, the Flight Attendant came to inform us that we had arrived. He left soon after.
I carried Jason, who was still drowsy, off the plane. Marie and Selena followed behind. An SUV was parked, waiting for us. The air hostess was loading our luggage into the trunk. The driver, Cole, was sent by Marie’s brother, Lorenzo. We got into the car, with Selena sitting in the front.
The car drove away from the airport. Jason was now fully awake, and Marie was looking out the window.
“Anything wrong, dear?”
“Oh no, I was just imagining the meeting. You know, they are not aware that I was pregnant. They must be blaming themselves for this, and I feel guilty.”
“Don’t think like that. You’re coming home with us, that’s a cause for joy.”
She smiled weakly, resting her head on my shoulder. Jason was content to watch the blurring of the street as we drove by.
When we arrived at Lorenzo’s house, we stepped out of the car. The house lived up to expectations. Marie was looking more confident now. I saw her glancing at the opening door. A tall man walked out. He was handsome despite the shocks of gray in his hair. Behind him was a younger woman; she linked her hands with his. As if on cue, two more men slightly younger than the first man stepped out.
Marie walked over to them. It seemed there was some tension between them, but the tall man, Lorenzo, by the look of it, hugged her. They all laughed, each of them hugging and kissing her cheeks. She waved us over. Selena, Jason and I finally reached them.
“This is my boyfriend and the father of my child, Karl Penfield. This is our son, Jason, and my best friend and Karl's sister, Selena.” She then introduced her brothers. “Lorenzo and his wife, Crystal. This is Lancelot and Igor”
I shook hands with them; they welcomed me with smiles on their faces. “Please, come in. Your luggage will be taken care of. We’ve been expecting you. In fact, we have a feast set out for you on our table.” Lorenzo patted me on the back while showing us in.
True to his words, it was a feast. I noticed a young boy the same age as Jason sitting beside Crystal. Jason saw him and began waving from his seat to the boy.
“That’s Alfred, my brother’s son. We could let them play together,” Marie said beside me.
“That’s good. Jason doesn’t have playmates his age. He’d love it,” I agreed.
